Nectarine tree

ABSTRACT

A nectarine tree which is large, vigorous, upright to spreading, medium in size and texture of the trunk and branches, foliated with large to medium size, medium thick, lanceolate, acutely pointed leaves having a crenate margin and globose glands, blooms mid-season with large flowers, and a regular and very productive bearer of large, symmetrical, globose, freestone fruit having yellow skin substantially overspread with red, and yellow flesh.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

Over a substantial number of years I have engaged in an extensive andcontinuing plant breeding program at my experimental nursery and orchardlocated near Le Grand, Merced County, Calif.; one purpose of suchprogram being to provide improved varieties of fruit trees. The presentvariety of nectarine tree resulted from my endeavors in the conduct ofsuch plant breeding program.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present variety of nectarine tree was originated by me, in myexperimental nursery and orchard located as aforesaid, as an F₁ cross ofthe Red Diamond nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,165), the seed parent,and the Sun Grand nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 974), the pollenparent. The variety, as thus originated, and under careful andcontinuing observation, evidenced--upon bearing fruit--certain novelcharacteristics which were commercially desirable, and I, therefore,undertook asexual reproduction of the variety preparatory to introducingit to the trade.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Subsequent to origination and selection by me of the present variety ofnectarine tree, in the manner above described, I asexually reproduced itby top-working on mature trees in my said experimental orchard, and--inmaturity--such reproductions ran true to the original tree in allrespects.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The present variety of nectarine tree is large, vigorous, upright tospreading, medium in size and texture of the trunk and branches,foliated with large to medium size, medium thick, lanceolate, acutelypointed leaves having a crenate margin and globose glands, bloomsmid-season with large flowers, and a regular and very productive bearerof large, symmetrical, globose, freestone fruit having yellow skinsubstantially overspread with red, and yellow flesh; the variety beingparticularly characterized by fruit embracing both the bright redexterior color and the firm flesh of the fruit of the Red Diamondnectarine, the seed parent, and the very firm flesh of the fruit of theSun Grand nectarine, the pollen parent, but ripening about ten daysearlier than said Sun Grand nectarine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawing is an illustration, by photographic reproduction in color,of leaves and fruit of the variety; one of the fruit being cut intohalves to expose the flesh, with the stone remaining in one such half.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The botanical details of this new and distinct variety of nectarinetree--with color definitions (except those in common color terms)referenced to Maerz and Paul Dictionary of Color--are as follows:

Tree:

Size.--Large.

Vigor.--Vigorous.

Growth.--Upright to spreading.

Production.--Very productive.

Bearing.--Regular bearer.

Trunk:

Size.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Branches:

Size.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Leaves:

Size.--Large to medium; average length of blade -- 51/4"; average widthof blade -- 11/4".

Form.--Lanceolate; acutely pointed.

Thickness.--Medium.

Margin.--Crenate.

Petiole.--Medium length -- average 1/2"; medium thickness.

Glands.--Number and position -- usually 2-3 on petiole and 1-4 on blade;alternate; globose.

Color.--Top Side -- Medium green (23-J-8); under side -- Lighter green(22-K-7).

Flowers:

Blooming period.--Mid-season; medium, as compared with other varieties.

Size.--Large.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Eating ripe -- July 12, 1976.

Date of first picking.--July 2, 1976.

Date of last picking.--July 12, 1976.

Size.--Large; uniform; average diameter axially -- 23/8"; averagetransversely in suture plane -- 21/2".

Form.--Symmetrical; globose.

Suture.--Shallow; extends from base to apex, with slight depressionbeyond pistil point.

Cavity.--Rounded.

Base.--Rounded.

Apex.--Short.

Pistil point.--Apical.

Skin:

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Tendency to crack.--None noted.

Down.--Wanting.

Color.--Yellow (11-L-8) substantially overspread with red (5-L-6)shading to darker red (7-L-6).

Flesh:

Amygdalin.--Scant to wanting.

Juice.--Abundant; rich.

Texture.--Firm; crisp; meaty; melting.

Ripens.--Evenly.

Flavor.--Subacid; delicate.

Aroma.--Wanting.

Eating Quality.--Good.

Color.--Yellow (11-L-5) with slight flecking of red when full ripe.

Surface of pit cavity.--Yellow with red.

Stone:

Type.--Free.

Size.--Large to medium; average length -- 1 3/16"; average breadth -- 11/16"; average thickness -- 9/16".

Form.--Oval.

Sides.--Equal.

Tendency to split.--Slight.

Kernel.--Sweet.

Color.--Brown (7-H-11).

Use: Market -- local; dessert; canning.

Keeping quality: Good.

Resistance to insects and diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

Shipping quality: Good.

The nectarine tree and its fruit herein described may vary in slightdetail due to climatic and soil conditions under which the variety maybe grown; the present description being of the variety as grown in theCentral Valley of California.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantiallyas illustrated and described, which is large, vigorous, upright tospreading, medium in size and texture of the trunk and branches,foliated with large to medium size, medium thick, lanceolate, acutelypointed leaves having a crenate margin and globose glands, bloomsmid-season with large flowers, and a regular and very productive bearerof large, symmetrical, globose, freestone fruit having yellow skinsubstantially overspread with red, and yellow flesh; the variety beingparticularly characterized by fruit embracing both the bright redexterior color and the firm flesh of the fruit of the Red Diamondnectarine, the seed parent, and the very firm flesh of the fruit of theSun Grand nectarine, the pollen parent, but ripening about ten daysearlier than said Sun Grand nectarine.